Brigham Young University College of Family, Home, & Social Sciences

SFL 200: The Eternal Family, a Fusion of Religion and Science

Registration is here. You go to add your major classes, an elective, and then the dreaded G.E. The latter is often the hardest to fit into your schedule and many times the required classes are ones you don’t want to take. However, the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences at BYU is offering a new class that will fulfill either an SFL credit (SFL 100) or a G.E. Religion requirement (REL C 200): SFL 200: The Eternal Family.

Taught by Family Life professor Dr. Larry Nelson, the class is offered during the Spring, Fall, and Winter semesters. During the upcoming semester, it will be held in room 222 of the Martin Building (MARB) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30-10:45 a.m.

One of a Kind

This is a unique class as it blends two departments together: the Religion Department and the School of Family Life. Dr. Nelson explained that the texts for the class will be the scriptures, teachings of general authorities, and social science research. In that sense, it is a mesh of science and religion. This is what makes this class so different; there are no others like it at BYU.

“The purpose of the class is to raise awareness of the importance of both the School of Family Life and the social sciences in general,” says Dr. Nelson. He hopes that fusing the scientific and religious elements will bring these studies to a wider audience. This class will showcase that the two often-opposing subjects can be taught together- and even used to support one another.

How Does it Work?

Beyond the texts, there will also be a variety of assignments that will test students’ abilities to combine both the religious and scientific elements. For example, students will be asked to research their ancestors and identify themes within them that are representative of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” They will then list areas in which they need to improve in order to have a healthy, gospel-oriented family.

If you need to fulfill a GE, are curious about or interested in the SFL or the social sciences, or simply need an elective, then consider taking this class.